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Cabin Mockup On Display At Sun 'n Fun With Garmin Touch Panel

Flight Design is moving towards first flight of its new four-place C4 airplane, with a first flight planned for this summer. Flight Design USA president Tom Peghiny said at Sun 'n Fun Tuesday that the prototype airplane is undergoing extensive testing, and certification is expected in Europe sometime in 2015, with FAA certification expected through a reciprocity agreement between the two agencies.

A mockup of the airplane cabin as well as a full-size exterior mockup are on display at the show at Lakeland Linder Airport in Lakeland, FL this week. Flight Design announced Tuesday that Garmin's Vision Touch avionics package has been chosen for the airplane, with a traditional four-pack of instruments installed between the two instrument panel pods, making the aircraft IFR-capable.

The C4 will be powered by a Continental IO-360-AF (Alternative Fuels) engine rated at 180 hp fitted with a three-blade constant-speed prop. It will be able to burn both 100LL and alternative, lower octane fuels.

In the light-sport category, Peghiny said the company's "Americas Limited Edition" CTLSi will be available with Dynon's new 10" SkyView Touch panel and SV 2-axis autopilot. The Rotax 912 iS sport engine is also available for the airplane.

The "Americas Limited Edition" airplane is a follow-on to the company's "Jubilee Edition" run of 25 aircraft which quickly sold out after its announcement last year.